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ATLANTIC CITY IS DOOMED - But It's Still A Fun Place To Visit!

Atlantic City is huge, but most people only think about the boardwalk and pier.

ATLANTIC CITY IS DOOMED - But It's Still A Fun Place To Visit!

It reached its boom period in the 1920s thanks to prohibition and illegal gambling — it even called itself the World's Playground.

It reached its boom period in the 1920s thanks to prohibition and illegal gambling — it even called itself the World

The '20s were so glamorous that they are even the subject of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, starring Steve Buscemi as the political boss and racketeer Enoch "Nucky" Thompson.

The

Source: HBO

AC didn't see a popularity resurgence again until the 1970s when New Jersey made gambling legal to help the city.

AC didn

Today, Atlantic City is still best known for its casinos and boardwalk, but it faces a lot of competition from neighboring states, especially Pennsylvania.

Today, Atlantic City is still best known for its casinos and boardwalk, but it faces a lot of competition from neighboring states, especially Pennsylvania.

Source: Economist

Now, AC is trying to market itself more as a luxury destination for travelers and a place for young people to party.

Now, AC is trying to market itself more as a luxury destination for travelers and a place for young people to party.

It's super easy to get there — you can take a bus from New York's Port Authority station down to AC for $40 roundtrip, or book a train from Philadelphia or New Jersey.

It

Attractions include the Trump Taj Mahal, home to the Casbah Nightclub and the Hard Rock Cafe.

Attractions include the Trump Taj Mahal, home to the Casbah Nightclub and the Hard Rock Cafe.

We'll admit it looks a little grim on the inside — which may be why the owner is open to selling the property.

We

Source: AP

The Tropicana Resort and Casino has some of the best food on the boardwalk with restaurants FIN and Il Verdi.

The Tropicana Resort and Casino has some of the best food on the boardwalk with restaurants FIN and Il Verdi.

Source: AP

It's also no longer in bankruptcy court after being bought by billionaire Carl Icahn for $200 million.

It

Source: AP

Revel opened last year as an entertainment destination with a spa, two nightclubs, and a killer burlesque club. It even has a stretch of beach named after it.

Revel opened last year as an entertainment destination with a spa, two nightclubs, and a killer burlesque club. It even has a stretch of beach named after it.

Source: Revel

Despite $1.5 billion in debt and plans to go into bankruptcy, the casino will remain open by giving creditors a greater equity stake in the casino and reducing their debt.

Despite $1.5 billion in debt and plans to go into bankruptcy, the casino will remain open by giving creditors a greater equity stake in the casino and reducing their debt.

Trump Plaza has become a staple on the boardwalk ever since it opened in 1984 because of its huge casino floor.

Trump Plaza has become a staple on the boardwalk ever since it opened in 1984 because of its huge casino floor.

Source: AP

However, it was recently sold for the low, low price of $20 million to the Meruelo Group (the cheapest price ever paid for a casino in Atlantic City).

However, it was recently sold for the low, low price of $20 million to the Meruelo Group (the cheapest price ever paid for a casino in Atlantic City).

Source: AP

And it's not all bad news for the city — The POOL at Harrah's Resort is the 11th highest grossing nightclub in America!

And it

Source: Eater

The hotel pool, which turns into a club at night, rakes in $25-$35 million in profits each year.

The hotel pool, which turns into a club at night, rakes in $25-$35 million in profits each year.

Source: Eater

If you're into the tourist scene, Atlantic City Absecon Lighthouse was first lit in 1857 and only costs $7 to climb.

If you

To drum up more tourism and help supplement Sandy relief efforts, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is going to build a park around the lighthouse.

To drum up more tourism and help supplement Sandy relief efforts, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is going to build a park around the lighthouse.

Golden Nugget — originally the Trump Marina — has been enlivened with eight restaurants, a spa, and two huge venues for live entertainment.

Golden Nugget — originally the Trump Marina — has been enlivened with eight restaurants, a spa, and two huge venues for live entertainment.

Chef Vola's is a cult-favorite in Atlantic City since 1921 for its fresh Italian food.

Chef Vola

Source: Eater

For those who prefer shopping to gambling, AC's downtown area is home to a sprawling outdoor outlet mall, with stores like J. Crew, Coach, and Brooks Brothers.

For those who prefer shopping to gambling, AC

Borgata Hotel is known as the Bellagio of the East Coast, and is still one of its top grossing casino/hotels.

Borgata Hotel is known as the Bellagio of the East Coast, and is still one of its top grossing casino/hotels.

As of this month, The Borgata allows lazy guests to gamble up to $2,500 in cash over hotel room TVs. How fun is that?

As of this month, The Borgata allows lazy guests to gamble up to $2,500 in cash over hotel room TVs. How fun is that?

After getting hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, Steel Pier will be re-opening with the help of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

After getting hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, Steel Pier will be re-opening with the help of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

The city is continuing to work on plans to make the 100-year-old pier a year-round water park attraction.

The city is continuing to work on plans to make the 100-year-old pier a year-round water park attraction.

Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City lost the Miss America Pageant in 2005 to Las Vegas after labor costs ran too high.

Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City lost the Miss America Pageant in 2005 to Las Vegas after labor costs ran too high.

But the pretty girls and tiaras will be returning to the boardwalk this year, bringing a much-needed influx in revenue and media attention to the area.

But the pretty girls and tiaras will be returning to the boardwalk this year, bringing a much-needed influx in revenue and media attention to the area.

Now let's break down why AC's Revel is struggling.

Now let

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